Chips Of Foreign Ashlar.

anxious to make the acquaintance of our eminent brother we did not hesitate to take the journey . Armed with an introduction from the office of the FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE , we received from Bro . Findel , a warm welcome of the most gratifying

and truly Masonic character . There are some men with whom the ceremony of introduction is but a momentary circumstance . A grasp of the hand , an interchange of glances , and we seem to have been acquainted for years .

Thus we met Bro . Gallienne of Guernsey , Bro . Schmitt of Jersey and other Channel Islands brethren ; thus we came to know Bro . Auguste Beaumont of Paris , of whom we have more to say

hereafter , and thus we ' exchanged fraternal greetings with Bro . Findel—a man whom to know is to love and respect , a man ° of genial good humour of pleasant fellowship and shrewd ideas , than whom we have never met one so learned who was

less of a pedant . The city of Leipzig has many associations of interest . There Goethe wrote , and here lies Gelert ' s grave . The scene of Faust was laid here and as we passed through the streets Bro . Findel

kindly pointed out Auerbach's cellar where Faust and Mephistopheles are supposed to have met . Leipzig is also the Metropolis of bookselling . From hence are sent forth the famous editions of

English , authors published , by Baron Tauchmty whose place of business we particularly noticed . There is also a " Booksellers' Exchange " and iu fact Leipzig is the gigantic Paternoster Row of Germany , When we arrived the " Great Fair

of Leipzig" which is believed to be the greatest pleasure fair in the World was going on , and we were much interested in observino- its varied

attractions . To this fair came crowds of strangers from almost every nationality under Heaven , and the money which is turned over i . s enormous in amount . The Opera House at Leipzig is the largest we have seen anywhere , and its decorations

are most splendid . To a Freemason , Leipzig is specially interesting , as the literary head-quarters of the Craft in German )' . There are two Masonic papers in Germany , aud both are published here . Bro . Findel is the

editor of Die Bauhiitte or The Lodge which is the organ of the " German Association of Freemasons " and represents the most progressive and intelligent school of Masonic thinkers and writers . Many of our German brethren pub English craftsmen to shame by their learning and research on Masonic

subjects . It was characteristic of German enterprise aud earnestness that when Bro . Findel undertook to write his great work the History of Froemasonry , he came over to England at the desire of the " German Association of

Freemasons" to personally investigate into the genuineness of the "York Constitution" supposed to have been granted by Prince Edwin . At this time Bro . Findel became acquainted with several English brethren of eminence , including Bro . the

Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , Bro . Newsam of Leeds , Bro . W . Shaw whose Historic . Masonry is anxiously looked for ; Bro . Peck of Hull and others .

Bro . Findel is the honorary secretary and gummo- spirit of the " Association of German Freemasons . " This society was founded at Potsdamthe Windsor of Prussia—on the 19 th of May 1861 . Its objects are publicly stated to be as follows : —•

" The aim of this society is the advancement of Masonic science in all its comprehensiveness , and the establishment of everything which can tend to promote the prosperity of the Order , and draw the members more closely together in the

bonds of friendship and brotherly love . " This society being the only central Masonic body in Germany naturally awakened some distrust in . the minds of the Grand Dignitaries of the various Grand Lodges who trembled for the

loss of their offices in the event of a United Grand Lodge of Germany , but it has steadily progressed until it has ranged under its banners the cremc da la creme of German Freemasonry . Among its honorary members are several English craftsmen

of distinction and notably Bros . A . F . A . Woodford , Dr . Hopkins , W . J . Hughan , Anthony Oneal Haye , M . C . Peek , D . Murray Lyon , J . Stevenson and William Smith , C ' . B .

Bro . Findel is also the president of a Literary and Philosophical Society designated The Masonia which meets periodically at Leipzig , and which occupies a position similar to that which is hoped to be filled by the Masonic Archaeological Institute of great Britain . Iu Germany there are nine Grand Lodges ,

viz : — 1 st—The Three Globes Grand Lodge . 2 nd—The Grand Lodge of Germany . 3 rd—The Royal York Grand Lodge . 4 th—The Grand Lodge of Hamburgh . 5 th—The Eclectic Grand Lodge of Frankfort , Cfcli—The Grand Lodge of Saxony .